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DoneDeal
dream car
This Renault 5 Turbo 2 is a 1980s French icon that's still a blast to drive
This French classic is everything you could ever want in a car.
IF I HAD the money I’d buy…
A hero of the rally world and an iconic French classic with buckets of charm and plenty of pace. A car that when first launched was the most powerful production French car ever made. A car that ticks all the desirable boxes; mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, 1980s French and genuine rally pedigree. I’d buy a Renault 5 Turbo 2.
Why a Renault 5 Turbo 2?
The Renault 5 Turbo 2 is everything you could ever want in a car. It is based on the Renault 5 Alpine and was designed by Marc Deschamps and Bertone’s famous Marcello Gandini, the man behind the Lamborghini Miura. He designed the distinctive rear end of the Renault 5 Turbo 2.
The most radical change from the original Renault 5 was the placement of the raucous C-Type four-cylinder inline engine behind the driver and its rear-wheel drive set-up. This, combined with the car’s super light curb weight of 970kg and the engine’s whopping 168hp and the short wheel base, means that this pocket rocket is a blast to drive.
What’s special about this particular one?
This particular 1983 example is stunning in its off-white coat and gold alloys and huge fender flares and it looks in excellent condition too. It has been converted from left-hand drive to right-hand drive and still has its original spare wheel.
What does it look like in action?
It looks very dangerous, but mighty fun too. Check out this rally compilation of Renault 5 Turbos and do not try this at home.
Who else drives one?
We all know that Rowan Atkinson has exquisite and expensive taste in cars but did you know that back in the 1980s he raced a mid-engined Renault 5 in the Manufacturer’s Turbo Cup racing series? You do now!
It costs £80,000 (about €92,000). What else could you get for the money?
Looking for another two-door fast turbo? Then for about €10k less you could have this 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo.
or if it’s a hot hatch you are after, you could buy this 2017 Volkswagen Golf R, twice.
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